Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 8:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 8:17 p.m.

For the past 10 years, DuPont State Forest has been holding marathons and half marathons, and on April 20, something special will happen for this year's fourth annual Morris Broadband Half Marathon.

“We will have our 3,000th runner cross the finish line during our race,” Race Director Greg Walker of Fletcher Parks and Recreation said. “It's been a great relationship we've had with DuPont State Forest through the years, and we're looking forward to many more.”

This year's Half Marathon will begin at 8:30 a.m., and there are still race spots available. According to Walker, there are 156 registered entries so far, and the field can go up to 200 athletes.

“There are a lot of area races going on that Saturday, so we won't have our two champions from last year back,” Walker said.

Last year's men's winner was Illinois native Matt Morse, who set a race record with a time of 1 hour, 15 minutes, and the women's winner was Asheville's Amanda Chase, who finished with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes.

The favorites this year share the same last name.

“Aaron Saft will be returning, and he finished third last year. What's interesting is that his wife, Beth, will be competing, too, and she's the favorite on the women's side,” Walker said.

The 13.1-mile course has flat areas at the airstrip and also several inclines, including a steep climb near the end. There will be three water stations at the two-mile, five-mile and seven-mile marks.

There will also be one major change in the course.

“We are going to have a new start/finish line this year. Instead of having it at the end of Buck Forest Road, we are going to move it to the middle part of the grass meadow area. It won't have much of an impact on the race itself, but it's going to be a lot better for the spectators,” Walker said.

There are runners from 10 different states entered so far, and those runners range in age from 17 to 72. The race is also part of the Asheville Track Grand Prix Series. Major sponsors are Morris Broadband, Foot Rx Running, Diamond Brand, Kimberly Clark and a newcomer, Sierra Nevada.

To register go to www.Active.com and do a search for Morris Broadband Half Marathon.

<p>For the past 10 years, DuPont State Forest has been holding marathons and half marathons, and on April 20, something special will happen for this year's fourth annual Morris Broadband Half Marathon.</p><p>“We will have our 3,000th runner cross the finish line during our race,” Race Director Greg Walker of Fletcher Parks and Recreation said. “It's been a great relationship we've had with DuPont State Forest through the years, and we're looking forward to many more.”</p><p>This year's Half Marathon will begin at 8:30 a.m., and there are still race spots available. According to Walker, there are 156 registered entries so far, and the field can go up to 200 athletes.</p><p>“There are a lot of area races going on that Saturday, so we won't have our two champions from last year back,” Walker said.</p><p>Last year's men's winner was Illinois native Matt Morse, who set a race record with a time of 1 hour, 15 minutes, and the women's winner was Asheville's Amanda Chase, who finished with a time of 1 hour, 35 minutes.</p><p>The favorites this year share the same last name.</p><p>“Aaron Saft will be returning, and he finished third last year. What's interesting is that his wife, Beth, will be competing, too, and she's the favorite on the women's side,” Walker said.</p><p>The 13.1-mile course has flat areas at the airstrip and also several inclines, including a steep climb near the end. There will be three water stations at the two-mile, five-mile and seven-mile marks. </p><p>There will also be one major change in the course.</p><p>“We are going to have a new start/finish line this year. Instead of having it at the end of Buck Forest Road, we are going to move it to the middle part of the grass meadow area. It won't have much of an impact on the race itself, but it's going to be a lot better for the spectators,” Walker said.</p><p>There are runners from 10 different states entered so far, and those runners range in age from 17 to 72. The race is also part of the Asheville Track Grand Prix Series. Major sponsors are Morris Broadband, Foot Rx Running, Diamond Brand, Kimberly Clark and a newcomer, Sierra Nevada. </p><p>To register go to www.Active.com and do a search for Morris Broadband Half Marathon.</p>